By: Blonde Two
You have heard both of us Blondes talk about the subject of keeping warm in a tent on Dartmoor at night. I am sorry if we have gone on about it a bit but it is a subject that is eternally fascinating to us – mainly due to the fact that at least on of us is always cold. Maybe camping this weekend will sort us out. Surely, out of all of the months, June should be the one to be warm, to not shiver once and to sleep for a whole night?
At our Silver Duke of Edinburgh practice camp a couple of weekends ago, we witnessed a completely new take on tent warmth – one of the men that we had “cultivated” (long story) brought a onesie with him to sleep in.
It was all a bit odd because I am fairly certain that the bloke who brought the onesie was not the one who ended up wearing it. We are very liberal Blondes and have nothing against onesie sharing at all, in fact, if someone were to offer me a onesie on a cold night, I would have no qualms about accepting it.
It all got even odder when, in the morning, “Onesie-Wearer” emerged from his tiny one man tent wearing absolutely all of his clothes (including waterproofs) with the beautifully camouflaged onesie on top. If you look carefully at this photo, you might just be able to see him.
I have had some very cold tent nights in my time and have even slept like a basted turkey in a silver foil blanket (boy was that noisy): But I have never been tempted to put my waterproofs back on. I am, however, now happy to consider the purchase of a onesie. Mine would be a very special one, it would have to be made of merino and a lovely girlie colour. I did a quick internet search not expecting to find any such thing for adults and was amazed and very excited to see this http://www.evo.com/long-underwear/airblaster-merino-ninja-suit-womens.aspx. Not only could you keep warm in bed in this fabulous outfit but you could creep around the campsite without a soul seeing you.
I know that someone is going to ask the obvious “What about when you need a wee?” question. It was the first thought in my mind. But have no fear dear Blondees and Blondettes – look closely and you will see that this Merino, Ninja, Perfect, Blonde Onesie comes with “Bathroom Access” so that “… being a lady never has obstacles…”. How modern!
What’s in a name?
A onesie is merely a boiler suit made out of modern fabric and with a different pattern. Full credit to the person that has a) made a fortune and b) set a trend by creating a new name for that ubiquitous garment. It is just a boiler suit!
I would advocate that you could solve several camping problems by raiding Grandads wardrobe. A long sleeping shirt (like in Scrooge & Marley) made in modern lightweight decorative and warm material has advantages a) it will cover all the way down to the ankle (where socks take over) b) being open at the bottom (of the garment silly, not you!) the mid-sleep “wee” can be achieved as there are no legs to deal with c) It will be warm.
PS: Your linked supplier EVO has no sense of business. They are redoing the website so have taken the old one down, rather than leave it as an adverrt and then replacing it. Oh so silly!
Carlos
You are right about the nightie – I have a merino/cotton one that I bought in NZ and it does a good job of keeping the old bottom warm. I have been seen wondering around Dartmoor in it at night!
That is amazing – shame about the price tag – a bit out of my reach at the moment!!!
Littlest F sleeps in a pink panda onesie while camping-she’s always lovely and toasty especially as it has feet but this proves a huge problem when needed the loo and has to be carried – and she’s bloomin heavy!!!
Mr F has a onesie – meant for kayaking but worn fishing and camping!!! He’s always toasty too.
Myself and little F don’t have onesies and are always cold!!! However Little F had her birthday last weekend and now has a pratical onesie with no feet!
So this weekend when we go camping, it will be only me with no onesie, so no doubt will be the only cold one!!! A bit like you, I am hoping with all this beautiful weather it shoudn’t be too chilly in the first place!
It is expensive so I will look at it from afar. Might scan the shops when I go to New Zealand this summer, they often have some good merino stuff cheaper.
Used a boiler suit made of nylon – now disapproved of cos they melt when in a fire – for years. Sounds sweaty, but have found it both warm and light to carry, and since it goes on over other clothes, I have not found it too bad, sweat-wise. Not camouflaged tho – has some blobs of white ceiling paint! Cheaper!
I remember nylon bed sheets – they were horrid!